League Report: Dundalk 2 - 0 Bohemians

Dundalk got back to winning ways in the SSE Airtricity League on Friday night with a comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Bohemians at Oriel Park.

Goals from David McMillan and Michael Duffy either side of half-time were enough to see the champions take all three points in what was an adequate display while Bohs suffered their fourth straight league defeat, leaving them just two points above the relegation zone.

The Lilywhites took the lead inside the first ten minutes when Patrick McEleney raced onto what appeared to be an over hit pass from Duffy on the right, and he then planted an excellent cross into the path of McMillan who gave Shane Supple little chance with his diving header.

Dundalk, looking to respond after last week’s controversial defeat against Bray Wanderers, had chances to double their advantage when Duffy tested the Bohemians goalkeeper following a nice through ball from McEleney, before Dane Massey tested his luck with a stinging shot which was parried by Supple with Lorcan Fitzgerald doing well to prevent Duffy scoring from the rebound.

The visitors had their first meaningful effort on goal as when Gary Rogers got down well to save Jamie Doyle’s shot after the Bohs striker had got in behind Brian Gartland, and the visitors caused further panic in the Dundalk area when Rogers unconvincingly parried a trademark Ian Morris long throw-in which evaded everyone in the box.

That was after Sean Hoare had a header from a Massey corner tipped over by Supple before Duffy diverted his header inches wide after getting on the end of a good cross by McEleney.

Supple was having a busy night at the office and he was forced into another save when Massey’s corner from the right was audaciously back heeled by the impressive Hoare before McEleney saw his effort saved by the former Ipswich Town man.

Dundalk created another chance just before the break when Duffy, with the inside of his right foot, shot viciously at goal but Supple was again equal to it and the hosts continued with the same intensity after the restart with the Bohs keeper producing an excellent save from a Stephen O’Donnell volley.

Anxious for that second goal, the Oriel Park faithful were finally rewarded for their patience in the 66th minute when substitute Steven Kinsella passed to man of the match Duffy and the Derry native rifled home into the bottom left-hand corner from 25 yards out to make the points safe for Dundalk.

The hosts had a decent penalty shout waved away by referee Paul McLaughlin when McMillan appeared to have had his shirt pulled before Bohs had what they thought was a consolation goal from Kaleem Simon chalked off in stoppage time.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Niclas Vemmelund, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Michael Duffy, Chris Shields, Stephen O’Donnell (Conor Clifford 74), Jamie McGrath (Steven Kinsella 65); Patrick McEleney (Thomas Stewart 86), David McMillan.

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Paddy Barrett, John Mountney, Ciaran Kilduff.

Booked: O’Donnell (48).

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender, Rob Cornwall, Dan Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Paddy Kavanagh, Fuad Sule (Keith Ward 83), Ian Morris, Kaleem Simon; Oscar Brennan, Jamie Doyle (Dean Casey 69).

Subs not used: Greg Murray (gk), Dylan Hayes, Philip Gannon, Jamie Hamilton, Steven Nolan.

Booked: Cornwall (2), Sule (70), Brennan (73).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Attendance: 2,848

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Michael Duffy (Dundalk)